Walnutport Authority
What EPA’s and Pennsylvania’s records show in this utility’s water: PFAS; nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; lead and copper; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 3,000 people
- Connections
- 1,107
- Water source
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- Based in
- Walnutport, PA
- County
- Northampton
- Owner
- Local government
The ZIP code it serves
The short answer
1 result is above EPA’s new limit, which takes effect in 2029, and 1 more is above the health goal. The worst: PFOA, above EPA’s new limit (2029). 4 health-based violations since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
PFAS: Pennsylvania’s own results under its PFAS rule, entry point samples taken from Feb. 14, 2024 to Sept. 8, 2026.
Copper: EPA’s file records a utility’s copper only when it exceeds the action level. The last here was 1.6 ppm, for the period ending Dec. 31, 2002. None since is on file, so it is not counted as a current finding.
Nitrate, haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), arsenic, chromium (total), fluoride and uranium: Pennsylvania’s own results, samples taken from Feb. 3, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFBS were found, of the six PFAS in EPA’s 2024 drinking water rule; their results are below.
EPA’s 2024 PFAS rule, compound by compound
| PFAS | EPA’s limit | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4.0 ppt | Above EPA’s new limit (2029)18 ppt highest, found in 26 of 35 samples. Details |
| PFOS | 4.0 ppt | Above the health goal3.7 ppt highest, found in 25 of 35 samples. Details |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | Not foundNot found in any of 28 samples |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | At EPA’s limit, as EPA rounds12 ppt highest, found in 12 of 28 samples. Details |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | Not foundNot found in any of 28 samples |
| PFBS | Index only | Below EPA’s limits23 ppt highest, found in 23 of 28 samples. Details |
| Results from Pennsylvania’s own PFAS monitoring, samples where water enters the pipes; each compound’s card has its four-quarter averages, the way limits are judged. The limits are EPA’s 2024 rule, with compliance due from 2029; EPA has since proposed changes to some of them, explained on each compound’s page. Pennsylvania’s own limits for PFOA and PFOS are in force now. PFBS has no limit of its own and counts only toward EPA’s Hazard Index, which TapBuff works out only from UCMR 5’s averages, so it isn’t given here. | ||
About PFAS certifications
NSF’s PFAS claims are tested to below 20 ppt. EPA’s limit is 4.0 ppt, and EPA says no certification yet shows a filter reaching its levels.
Above EPA’s new limit, which takes effect in 20291
PFOA
Comes from the source
18ppt
Highest sample, May 2, 2024; found in 26 of 35
2026 average: 6.2 ppt
The highest sample was 18 ppt, about 4.5 times EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt, which takes effect in 2029. EPA’s health goal is zero. Compliance will be judged on a running annual average, not one sample. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way both Pennsylvania’s limit and EPA’s are judged, the highest was 13.5 ppt, for the year to Dec. 31, 2025: below Pennsylvania’s limit of 14 ppt and above EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its nine samples averaged 6.2 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOA Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)”
Above the health goal1
PFOS
Comes from the source
3.7ppt
Highest sample, May 2, 2024; found in 25 of 35
2026 average: 2.1 ppt
The highest sample was 3.7 ppt: below EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt, which takes effect in 2029, but above its health goal of zero. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way both Pennsylvania’s limit and EPA’s are judged, the highest was 3.0 ppt, for the year to Sept. 30, 2026: below Pennsylvania’s limit of 18 ppt and below EPA’s new limit of 4.0 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its nine samples averaged 2.1 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “PFOS Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)”
Below EPA’s limits5
PFNA
Comes from the source
12ppt
Highest sample, Oct. 8, 2024; found in 12 of 28
2026 average: 1.8 ppt
The highest sample was 12 ppt. As EPA rounds results, that is at EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt, which takes effect in 2029, not above it: EPA counts a result as above it from 15 ppt. Averaged over four quarters at one entry point, the way EPA’s limit is judged, the highest was 7.6 ppt, for the year to June 30, 2025: below EPA’s new limit of 10 ppt. In 2026, the latest year on file, its nine samples averaged 1.8 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
Nitrate
Comes from the source
7.6ppm
Highest sample; found in 43 of 53
2026 average: 2.4 ppm
The highest sample, in 2024, was 7.6 ppm, below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm. In 2026, the latest year on file, its 10 samples averaged 2.4 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 7.5 ppm, in 2019.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
12.8ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 3.4 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 12.8 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. Its highest single sample was 20.2 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its three samples averaged 3.4 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 12.7 ppb, in 2018.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
12.6ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 10.8 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 12.6 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. Its highest single sample was 21.7 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its three samples averaged 10.8 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 13.3 ppb, in 2013.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
PFBS
Comes from the source
23ppt
Highest sample, March 12, 2025; found in 23 of 28
2026 average: 9.6 ppt
The highest sample was 23 ppt, below EPA’s hazard index benchmark of 2,000 ppt. PFBS has no legal limit or health goal of its own. In 2026, the latest year on file, its nine samples averaged 9.6 ppt.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Total PFAS Reduction”
7 compounds tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
From routine monitoring
- Arsenic
- Chromium (total)
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Uranium
PFAS, from Pennsylvania’s own monitoring
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- PFHxS
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: PFOA Reduction, PFOS Reduction
For: PFOA, PFOS
Other certifiers’ wording: Total PFAS Reduction; Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA); Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
For: PFOA, PFOS
At the tap, or for the whole house?
These come with the water itself, so a whole-house system certified for the same claims treats every tap and shower. A filter at the tap treats drinking water for much less. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher (ZP-010)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS
Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect (AQ-MF-1)
Under-sink carbon
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 16, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS
Express Water StreamLine Direct Connect System (USC001)
Under-sink carbon
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 16, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Coliform or E. coli results required a detailed review of the system, and it or its fixes were not done on time.EPA: Treatment Technique, Level 2 Assessment (RTCR) | Sept. 14, 2024 | — | Resolved |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | E. coli was confirmed in the water system.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) | Aug. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2024 | — | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022 | — | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 | — | Resolved |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 64 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Nitrate, haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), arsenic, chromium (total), fluoride and uranium results here are Pennsylvania’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Walnutport Authority’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; Pennsylvania’s results run from Feb. 3, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2026; Pennsylvania’s PFAS results run from Feb. 14, 2024 to Sept. 8, 2026.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Pennsylvania certifies closest to the area Walnutport Authority serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
ABE Laboratories LLC
Bath, PA · about 8 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, minerals and other inorganics
Eurofins Philadelphia - Wind Gap
Wind Gap, PA · about 13 miles
HawkMtn Labs Inc
Hazle Township, PA · about 29 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics, organic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, radioactivity
Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory: Drinking water test kits from many county Extension offices, mailed back to the lab overnight with payment. Packages cover bacteria and basic chemistry, with add-ons for nitrate, metals, lead, and mining or gas drilling concerns. The standard package of bacteria, pH and total dissolved solids is $60, or $70 with nitrate; bacteria alone is $40, nitrate $15 and lead $25. Drinking Water Testing, Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab.
All 108 certified labs for PennsylvaniaSources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Reporting System, PFAS results read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Reporting System, results from Jan. 2, 2020 to Oct. 8, 2026, read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: Pennsylvania DEP Laboratory Accreditation Program, accredited labs for drinking water, read Oct. 11, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID PA3480032. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 2 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with PFOA
- Get the utility’s own reportWalnutport Authority must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs